Houston-at-New York….Game 4-of ALCS…..Rain in forecast in New York especially in late afternoon into evening.

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(Teams)

Angels…Reports that Commissioners office could fine the Halos 1-to-2M if it is proven club front office execs were aware of drug abuse issues with P-Tyuler Skaggs but never contact the MLB offices….Not known if the fact PR Director Eric Kay was aware but did nothing about it…Angels management said they were never aware of any information involving Skaggs…the Angels had tried to help Kay with his own addiction battles including placing him in rehab 3-times.

Phillies-Mets…Both initially interested in Buck Showalter but both teams got bad reports about Showalters relationships with front offices in Texas-Baltimore and Baltimore.

Giants..Will interview Cubs coach Will Venable for manager’s job

Pirates..Make contact with Mark Kotsay-A’s coach

Milwaukee…Fire 1B-coach Carlos Bubero.

Matt Williams…former major league manager hired to manage KIA Tigers-Korea…has served as A’s coach the last 3-years.

Dodgers…GM-Andrew Friedman says team will evaluate change in role of Kenley Jansen….Had career high (3.71-ERA) and 8-blown saves…Still has (2Y-28M) left on his contract.

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……….(FOOTBALL)………….

Chargers….Shellshocked team goes back on practice field preparing for road game in Tennessee…..RB-Austin Ekeler may be elevated to starting job with Melvin Gordon coming off the bench.

Charges…Sources say OT-Russell Okung has been working everyday on the side field with trainers and is awaiting clearance to play. Club source refuses to say if Okung has been taken off blood thinners….If activated from Non-Football Illness list-Chargers would have 3-weeks to work him out with team, then must activated him to roster or put him on IR list.

Chargers…Sources say C-Mike Pouncey neck surgery was a success…Faces 9-months of rehab but could play next year if he wishes to….Sources say Pouncey was healthy up till a week ago…did not show signs of neck problems.

NFL…Former NFL executive Joe Banner says the NFL offered Dean Spanos an additional 100M in stadium financing help if he would keep the team in San Diego and work wit h the City-County Coalition on a new stadium….Spanos rejected the offer and moved to Los Angeles…had to borrow 650M to make territorial fee payments.

NFL…Referee crew in Lions-Packers game under scrutiny for 2-blown calls ‘hands to the face’ against the Lions pass rushers that were chest blows-not hits to facemarks…..Refs also blew a call when Packers had 13-men on field in defensive alignment-no flag thrown.

Aztecs….Coach Rocky Long says his defense faces enormous challenge at San Jose State QB-Josh Love….”throws the ball on timing…gets rid of ball quickly….does not take sacks….is content to throw 10-yard completions keep drive going rather than try to throw deep….Aztecs (5-1)…Spartans (3-3).

Aztecs…Lose freshman QB-Joe Green-fractures collarbone for 2nd time this year…was redshirting this year.

Washington State..Coach Mike Leach bans players use of social media in wake of 3-game losing streak.

Louisville…Lose QB-Jawon Pass-needs shoulder surgery.

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…………(BASKETBALL)………….

Lakers…LeBron James being criticized for his public stance on Houston GM-Daryl Morley tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters…..James said Morey was “Misinformed-Not Educated” about democracy protests……Twitter reaction says LeBron is ‘uninformed’ about what is going on in Hong Kong….Government officials from Florida-Texas called James the ‘misinformed one’